Kansas City rocks Chicago by 8 runs

Sunday

Jun 15, 2014 at 11:15 AM

CHICAGO — Danny Duffy was at his best on Saturday, limiting the White Sox to just five hits over seven scoreless innings as the Kansas City Royals took down Chicago, 9-1, in the middle test of a three-game set. Duffy (4-5) won his second straight decision for the first time this season, matching a career-high with nine strikeouts in the process. The lefty hadn’t fanned nine since the seventh start of his major league career back on June 19, 2011. He went just 3 2/3 innings in that game, a loss to the Cardinals. Mike Moustakas went 3-for-4 with a home run for the Royals, who have won a season-high six games in a row, matching last season’s best win streak. Billy Butler also went yard and Alcides Escobar had two hits to extend his hitting streak to 12 games. Chicago starter Hector Noesi (2-5) was roughed up for five runs — two earned — on eight hits and a walk over 3 2/3 frames in the setback.

CHICAGO — Danny Duffy was at his best on Saturday, limiting the White Sox to just five hits over seven scoreless innings as the Kansas City Royals took down Chicago, 9-1, in the middle test of a three-game set. Duffy (4-5) won his second straight decision for the first time this season, matching a career-high with nine strikeouts in the process. The lefty hadn’t fanned nine since the seventh start of his major league career back on June 19, 2011. He went just 3 2/3 innings in that game, a loss to the Cardinals. Mike Moustakas went 3-for-4 with a home run for the Royals, who have won a season-high six games in a row, matching last season’s best win streak. Billy Butler also went yard and Alcides Escobar had two hits to extend his hitting streak to 12 games. Chicago starter Hector Noesi (2-5) was roughed up for five runs — two earned — on eight hits and a walk over 3 2/3 frames in the setback.

Houston 7, Tampa Bay 3

HOUSTON — Matt Dominguez’s three-run double helped lead the Houston Astros to a 7-3 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays in the middle contest of a three-game set on Saturday. Marwin Gonzalez went 3-for-4 with two runs scored and Dexter Fowler drove in two runs for the Astros, who have won five of their last seven. Jarred Cosart (6-5) surrendered just three runs on nine hits across seven innings with two strikeouts to earn the win. Kevin Kiermaier had two doubles and crossed the plate twice for the Rays, who had their two-game win streak snapped. Evan Longoria supplied three RBI in defeat. Rays starter Chris Archer (3-4) tossed his shortest outing of the season. He was pulled after three-plus innings for giving up six runs — one earned — on three hits and three walks in defeat.

Colorado 5, San Francisco 4

SAN FRANCISCO — Brandon Barnes’ go-ahead, inside-the- park two-run home run in the top of the ninth inning lifted the Colorado Rockies over the San Francisco Giants, 5-4, in the middle tilt of a three- game series at AT&T Park. With the Rockies trailing by a run, Charlie Blackmon singled off Sergio Romo (3-3) with one out in the decisive frame. Barnes then delivered his second inside-the-park homer of the season on a two-out slider past a diving center fielder Angel Pagan to cap off a second consecutive ninth inning rally for the Rockies, who have won four straight. Rex Brothers (3-4) struck out the side in the eighth inning to earn the win while LaTroy Hawkins ended the game with a scoreless ninth to secure his 13th save of the year. Michael McKenry went 3-for-4 with a run scored while Blackmon, Josh Rutledge and Ryan Wheeler each recorded an RBI for Colorado. Buster Posey went 2-for-3 with a two-run homer and three RBI and Hunter Pence added a solo home run for the Giants, who have lost five of their last six.

Baltimore 3, Toronto 2

BALTIMORE — Chris Davis hit the go-ahead two-run homer and Bud Norris pitched into the seventh, as Baltimore edged Toronto, 3-2, in Saturday’s third test of a four-game series. Nick Hundley knocked in the other run and Manny Machado added two hits for the Orioles, who have won three of four overall. Norris (6-5) lasted 6 2/3 innings, during which he scattered seven hits and one run, walking one and fanning five. Zach Britton tossed a scoreless ninth to earn his seventh save. Brett Lawrie and Josh Thole drove in a run each for the Blue Jays, losers in four of their last five.

Cleveland 3, Boston 2

BOSTON — Carlos Santana’s bases-loaded walk capped a seventh-inning rally that propelled the Cleveland Indians to a 3-2 victory over the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park. The Indians scored a pair of unearned runs charged to Craig Breslow (2-2) in the seventh to overcome a 2-1 deficit and halt a four-game losing skid, while ending the Red Sox’ string of seven straight home wins. Jason Kipnis contributed three hits to the triumph and Asdrubal Cabrera finished 2-for-5 with an RBI double for Cleveland. John Axford (2-3) picked up the win with a scoreless inning in relief of T.J. House, who was reached for two runs on seven hits over 5 1/3 frames. Jonny Gomes went 2-for-4 with an RBI and David Ortiz had a run- scoring double for Boston. Sox starter Jake Peavy limited the Indians to one run while battling through a six-inning no-decision.

Detroit 12, Minnesota 9

DETROIT — Eugenio Suarez finished a single shy of the cycle as the Detroit Tigers grabbed a 12-9 victory over the Minnesota Twins in the second of a three-game set on Saturday. Suarez scored three times and drove in two, Ian Kinsler went 3-for-5 with three RBI and a run scored, while Victor Martinez added a two-run home run for the Tigers, who had lost four of five coming in. Anibal Sanchez (3-2) went 6 1/3 innings as he gave up three runs on four hits with two walks and six strikeouts. Danny Santana went 2-for-5 with three RBI, Eduardo Nunez was 2-for-3 with an RBI and two runs scored, and Eric Fryer finished the game 3-for-5 with an RBI and two runs scored for the Twins.

Philadelphia 7, Chicago 4

PHILADELPHIA — Domonic Brown stroked a three-run home run that helped power the Philadelphia Phillies to a 7-4 victory over the Chicago Cubs in the middle tilt of a three-game series at Citizens Bank Park. Jimmy Rollins passed Hall-of-Famer Mike Schmidt for the most hits in franchise history with a single in the fifth to become the Phillies all-time leader with 2,235 career hits. Chase Utley connected on a solo shot while Marlon Byrd went 2-for-3 with a double, triple and two runs scored for the Phillies, who have won four of their last five contests.

San Diego 5, New York 0

FLUSHING, N.Y. — Rookie Jesse Hahn and three relievers tossed a combined two-hitter, as San Diego blanked the New York Mets 5-0 in the middle installment of a three-game set. Hahn (1-1) dazzled in just his second major league start, striking out seven in six innings of work, yielding just a leadoff, infield single to Ruben Tejada and three walks. Dale Thayer and Joaquin Benoit each threw clean innings out of the bullpen and Huston Street pitched around a one-out single in the ninth to secure Hahn’s first career win. Hahn, who lasted just 3 2/3 innings in a 4-1 loss to the Pirates on June 3 in his major league debut, also went 1-for-2 at the plate in this one and drove in his first career run.

Pittsburgh 8, Miami 6

MIAMI, Fla. — Andrew McCutchen smacked a three-run homer and the Pittsburgh Pirates defeated the Miami Marlins, 8-6, in the middle test of a three-game set. Jordy Mercer belted a solo shot and an RBI double to go with two runs scored for the Pirates, who have won five of their last six games. Charlie Morton (4-7) struck out six and surrendered two runs on five hits and three walks over seven innings to notch the win. Jason Grilli recorded the final out in the ninth to notch his 11th save after Stolmy Pimentel allowed four runs in the frame. Friday reports

Texas 1, Seattle 0

SEATTLE — Adrian Beltre’s RBI groundout in the ninth inning forced in the game’s lone run, and the Texas Rangers blanked the Seattle Mariners, 1-0, in the opener of a three-game set on Friday. Elvis Andrus singled with one out in the ninth off Seattle starter Felix Hernandez (8-2), stole second, then swiped third when Shin-Soo Choo walked. Mariners closer Fernando Rodney relieved Hernandez with runners at the corners. Beltre bounced one to shortstop Brad Miller, who attempted to turn the inning-ending double play, but Robinson Cano’s throw was wide and Andrus crossed home to break the scoreless tie. Hernandez, coming off a career-high 15 strikeouts against the Tampa Bay Rays in his last start, allowed the lone run on four hits with six strikeouts over 8 1/3 innings. Shawn Tolleson (2-1) earned the win after pitching a scoreless eighth inning and Joakim Soria shut the door in the ninth to nail down his 14th save of the season.

St. Louis 1, Washington 0

ST. LOUIS, Mo. — Matt Adams went 2-for-3 with a home run in his return from the disabled list, and Lance Lynn bested Jordan Zimmermann in a classic pitchers’ duel that resulted in a 1-0 St. Louis Cardinals victory over the Washington Nationals. Lynn (7-4) took a perfect game into the sixth inning and yielded just two singles while fanning eight through eight. Trevor Rosenthal finished off the shutout by tossing a hitless ninth to nail down the Cardinals’ fourth win in five tries. Zimmermann (5-3) was nearly as good in a complete-game effort that was spoiled by Adams’ blast in the bottom of the second inning. The right-hander allowed only three Cardinal hits and a walk while recording five strikeouts.

Kansas City 7, Chicago 2

CHICAGO — Billy Butler, Eric Hosmer and Lorenzo Cain all knocked in a pair of runs to help the streaking Kansas City Royals to a 7-2 win over the Chicago White Sox in the opener of a three-game set on Friday. Omar Infante added three hits and two runs for the Royals, who have won five straight and eight of 10. Kansas City starter Jeremy Guthrie (3-6) grabbed the win, his first since April 9, after hurling 5 2/3 innings of two-run ball, striking out a season-high nine. Adam Eaton and Jose Abreu each had an RBI for the White Sox, who had won eight of their previous 10 against AL Central competition. Jose Quintana (3-7) was tagged for six runs on eight hits with six strikeouts over six innings of work.

Tampa Bay 6, Houston 1

HOUSTON — Ben Zobrist had three hits, including a two- run triple, as the Tampa Bay Rays took a 6-1 victory over the Houston Astros in the opener of a three-game set from Minute Maid Park. Evan Longoria and Matt Joyce each supplied two-run hits for Tampa Bay, which won its second straight game after losing 14 of 15. Desmond Jennings and James Loney crossed the plate twice in the win. Alex Cobb (2-4), who entered the game with losses in his last three starts, surrendered just one run on three hits and two walks with a season-high 11 strikeouts in his first win since April 12. Jonathan Singleton homered and Jason Castro doubled for Houston, which mustered just four hits after entering the game with wins in four of its last five games. Starter Collin McHugh (4-4) was tagged with the loss after giving up four runs — three earned — on five hits and three walks over five innings.

Colorado 7, San Francisco 4

SAN FRANCISCO — Pinch-hitter Ryan Wheeler tied the game with a two-run single and DJ LeMahieu put Colorado in front with a base hit as the Rockies used a five-run ninth to surge past the San Francisco Giants, 7-4, in the opener of a three-game set. Colorado trailed 4-2 entering the ninth before Troy Tulowitzki and Justin Morneau singled off Sergio Romo (3-2) to begin the frame.

Pinch-runner Charlie Culberson replaced Tulowitzki, who was injured running to first on his hit. Wilin Rosario flied out to advance both runners and Corey Dickerson was intentionally walked to load the bases. Wheeler then stepped up for Josh Rutledge and rolled a grounder up the middle to plate Culberson and Morneau to knot the game. LeMahieu flared a base hit off the end of the bat and into center to bring home Dickerson and end Romo’s night. George Kontos came on and served up a single to pinch-hitter Michael McKenry, which allowed Wheeler to score. Kontos then picked off McKenry from first, but he was in the rundown long enough to let LeMahieu to score from third and make it 7-4. LaTroy Hawkins fired a 1-2-3 ninth to nail down his 12th save and Matt Belisle (1-2) picked up the win after striking out two in a perfect eighth.

Chicago 2, Philadelphia 1

PHILADELPHIA — Jake Arrieta spun seven scoreless innings of two-hit ball to help guide the Chicago Cubs to a 2-1 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies in the opener of a three-game series at Citizens Bank Park on Friday. Arrieta (2-1), who has allowed more than one run in just two of his eight starts this year, walked only one batter while tying a career-high with nine strikeouts. Starlin Castro blasted a two-run homer and Anthony Rizzo walked twice and scored a run for the Cubs, who snapped a two-game skid. Roberto Hernandez (2-5), who lasted 5 2/3 innings before being ejected after hitting Castro in the elbow with a pitch, allowed two runs on three hits and two walks while fanning five to absorb the loss.

New York 6, San Diego 2

FLUSHING, N.Y. — Bobby Abreu went 4-for-4 with two runs scored and two RBI to lead the New York Mets over the San Diego Padres, 6-2, in the opener of a three-game series. Abreu’s vintage night at the plate backed a classic performance on the mound from Bartolo Colon, who set down 19 of the final 20 batters he faced to earn his fourth straight winning decision. Colon (6-5) gave up two runs on four hits while fanning seven over 7 1/3 innings of work as New York earned just its second win in its last 10 games. Andrew Cashner (2-6), in his second start since returning from the disabled list, was tagged for four runs on eight hits over six innings for the Padres, losers of five straight.

Atlanta 4, LA Angels 3

ATLANTA — Back-to-back homers from Evan Gattis and Chris Johnson in the opening inning and strong pitching from Aaron Harang helped the Atlanta Braves to a 4-3 win over the Angels at Turner Field. Gattis belted a three-run shot and Johnson followed with his third of the year, as the Braves snapped a two-game skid. Harang (5-5) allowed four hits and a run over six innings to win for the first time since May 11 against the Cubs. He had been 0-2 over his previous five starts. It was also the first win in six career decisions for Harang against the Angels. C.J. Wilson (7-6) yielded six hits and four runs while fanning eight over six innings for the Angels, who have lost back-to-back contests following a five-game winning streak.

Pittsburgh 8, Miami 6 (13)

MIAMI, Fla. — Things got wacky on Friday the 13th in Miami. After the Pittsburgh Pirates’ bullpen imploded, Gregory Polanco picked a good time to smack his first career home run. Polanco hit a go-ahead two-run homer in the top of the 13th inning to cap his five-hit night as the Pirates defeated the Marlins, 8-6, in the opener of a three-game set. The Pirates held a 6-2 lead entering the ninth, but their usually-reliable bullpen fell apart as Miami pushed across four runs to tie the score despite recording just one hit. Pittsburgh used three relievers, who combined to walk six in the frame. Clint Barmes led off the 13th with a single off Mike Dunn (5-4) and after Jeanmar Gomez moved him to second with a sacrifice bunt, Polanco launched his blast into the seats in right-center. Gomez (1-2) held the Marlins scoreless over the final four innings to earn the win.

Cincinnati 6, Milwaukee 5

MILWAUKEE — Billy Hamilton’s go-ahead RBI single in the top of the ninth inning lifted the Cincinnati Reds to a 6-5 win over the Milwaukee Brewers in the opener of a three-game set. Zack Cozart led off the ninth with a single off Francisco Rodriguez (2-2) and after pinch-hitter Ramon Santiago moved him over to second with a sacrifice bunt, Hamilton brought him home with a base hit into right. Aroldis Chapman struck out two in a 1-2-3 bottom half to nail down his 11th save of the year.

Los Angeles 4, Arizona 3

LOS ANGELES — Fans let out a joyous celebration in the sixth inning, and then the Dodgers held off the Arizona Diamondbacks, 4-3, in the opener of a three-game set Friday. Matt Kemp hit a two-run homer in the second for Los Angeles, and the Dodger Stadium crowd roared in elation four innings later when the Kings finished off the New York Rangers in double- overtime to win the Stanley Cup in five games. Clayton Kershaw (6-2) allowed eight hits and a run while fanning seven over seven innings. Kershaw won his third straight start and LA snapped a two-game skid. Aaron Hill went 3-for-5 with two RBI for Arizona. Tuffy Gosewisch had three hits and drove in a run for the Diamondbacks, who have lost three in a row. Gerardo Parra totaled three hits. Chase Anderson (5-1), who was the first Diamondbacks rookie to win his first five big league starts, surrendered four hits and a pair of runs in five innings.

Toronto 4, Baltimore 0

BALTIMORE — Juan Francisco hit a two-run homer and Drew Hutchison tossed seven scoreless innings as the Toronto Blue Jays ended a three-game skid with a 4-0 win over the Baltimore Orioles on Friday in the second installment of a four-game set from Camden Yards. Hutchison (5-4) allowed just six hits and did not walk a batter, departing only after a rain delay in between the seventh and eighth innings. Of his 96 pitches, 70 went for strikes. The Jays led 2-0 heading into the short delay. Baltimore took the field for the top of the eighth and made a pair of mistakes, leading to two insurance runs for the visitors. Anthony Gose led off with a walk and Jose Reyes put runners on the corners when Jonathan Schoop allowed his dribbler to squirt into right field. A wild pitch from Tommy Hunter allowed Gose to score, and Reyes sprinted home on Jose Bautista’s bloop single to center two batters later. Brett Cecil was given the eighth, but left mid at-bat with two runners on and one out with an apparently injury. Dustin McGowan came in with a 1-2 count to Chris Davis and struck him out swinging on the first pitch. Nelson Cruz then grounded out to end the inning. McGowan secured the ninth for his first save of his career.

Minnesota 2, Detroit 0

DETROIT — Eduardo Escobar drove in both runs and Kyle Gibson tossed seven shutout innings as the Minnesota Twins took a 2-0 victory over the Detroit Tigers in the opener of a three-game set. Escobar homered and Kurt Suzuki, Joe Mauer and Kendrys Morales each singled for the Twins, who needed just four hits to win their third straight game. Starter Kyle Gibson (6-5) gave up just five hits and two walks with three strikeouts to earn the win. Alex Avila and Nick Castellanos both doubled for Detroit, which has dropped four of its last five. Starter Drew Smyly (3-5) absorbed the loss after giving up one run on four hits and three walks over six innings.

Boston 10, Cleveland 3

BOSTON — Mike Napoli, A.J. Pierzynski and Dustin Pedroia each swatted two-run doubles as the Boston Red Sox’ offense busted out once again in a 10-3 drubbing of the Cleveland Indians. Napoli, Daniel Nava and Jackie Bradley Jr. all had two hits to back 6 2/3 solid innings from John Lackey in the Red Sox’ seventh consecutive win at Fenway Park, with Xander Bogaerts adding a solo homer in the rout. Boston claimed Thursday’s opener of this four-game set by a 5-2 count after managing a mere one run over three matchups in Baltimore. Lackey (8-4) overcame an early two-run homer to Carlos Santana to hold the Indians to three runs on seven hits and easily outduel counterpart Justin Masterson (4-5), who was shelled for five runs and issued four walks in two-plus innings of work.

New York 7, Oakland 0

OAKLAND — David Phelps and two New York relievers combined on a two-hit shutout of the Athletics as the Yankees snapped a seven- game losing streak in Oakland with a 7-0 victory on Friday. Phelps (2-4), who had dropped his previous four starts, scattered two hits and three walks while fanning four over 6 2/3 innings. Brett Gardner, Ichiro Suzuki and Brian Roberts all had two hits and knocked in a run for New York, which earned its first win at O.co Coliseum since May 27, 2012. Sonny Gray (6-3) suffered back-to-back losses for the first time this year, as he surrendered three runs on seven hits over six frames.